Stop it, Taoist, Your Fight almost Ruins the DAO!
Chapter 916 - 504: Preparing for War, News from Huaxu Country, Speculation, The Taoist Priest's Bizarre Three Corpse Primordial Spirits

In the bright and tidy study, Ying Si was engrossed in an ancient iron-bound book, with the words "Huaxu Country" capturing much of his attention.

Just then, a series of urgent knocks sounded, accompanied by the closing of the ancient book, and the door to the study automatically swung open.

Standing at the doorway was a gaunt old man with graying hair and a withered look.

Who else could it be if not the Hall Master of the Heavenly Secret Hall?

"Your Majesty, a great disaster has emerged. Since the celestial anomaly, we have intensified our efforts and set up numerous Heavenly Secrets Sundial Divine Arrays across various sea regions. Now, near the Western Ocean Region of Eastern Continent, the Great Formation has detected a powerful force rapidly advancing toward the Eastern Continent."

Before Ying Si could inquire further, the Hall Master of the Heavenly Secret Hall promptly disclosed all the information he had gathered, like spilling beans.

"Do not panic, has the Great Formation detected what this rapidly approaching anomaly actually is?" Ying Si's expression remained calm as he tapped his fingers lightly on the table and spoke unhurriedly.

"Your... Your Majesty, according to the display of the Great Formation, the approaching anomaly is so immense that it is very likely the lost Western Lands in the boundless sea."

"The prophecy of Three Lands United has now been fulfilled; unfortunately, due to my limited talent and shallow cultivation, I have always failed to discern the source of the crisis," said the emaciated old man, his face filled with embarrassment and hesitation.

"Tianyun Zi, when I entrusted you with the Heavenly Secret Hall, it was a recognition of your capabilities. If you are incapable, wouldn't that imply that I too am incompetent?"

"Do not fear speculation. The State Preceptor once said, 'Dare to hypothesize, verify carefully.' By pooling our wisdom, we might find other means to glimpse the true nature of this calamity," Ying Si said with a dignified bearing, sitting upright but speaking words that were as soothing as a spring breeze.

Hearing Ying Si's words, the gaunt old man found some solace. After briefly pondering, he slowly began to speak:

"Very well, since your Majesty has put it this way, I will boldly speculate."

"With the fragmentation of the Human Realm, Eastern Continent is the most vast, followed by Central Continent, while Western Lands are sparsely populated and much less abundant in cultivation resources compared to Eastern and Central Continents."

"Do you think it's possible that under these cosmic changes, the entire Western Lands are now controlled by foreign alien species?"

"Only this would explain the Great Formation revealing such astonishing anomalies," the gaunt old man said, pointing fearfully toward the sky with a large hand.

"That makes sense, Tianyun Zi. Where do you think is the most likely point of collision between the Western Lands and the Eastern Continent?"

With a wave of his hand, a map of the Eastern and Central Continents unfolded automatically on Ying Si's desk. Following the pointer of the gaunt old man, Ying Si then spoke,

"Zhen Tian Sea Gate, Corner Sea City?"

"Tianyun Zi, there is no time to delay, you must now take the lead and head to Zhen Tian Sea Gate to continue the surveillance. Whatever you need, just apply from the treasury."

"I will also notify them at Zhen Tian Sea Gate to fully support you."

Without any hesitation, Ying Si decisively made his decision.

As the gaunt old man left the study, Ying Si glanced once more at the ancient book on his desk and then swiftly instructed an aide officer outside:

"Summon the State Preceptor from Falling Dragon Mountain at once!"

...

...

"State Preceptor, what do you think?"

Inside the Imperial Palace, a robust figure of a Taoist priest suddenly appeared in Ying Si's study.

Just a teacup's time before, Yi Chen was discussing what constitutes "Astonishing Wisdom" with Yuan Jun, when a red-garbed aide officer hurriedly came to summon him to the study.

The familiarity of the words suddenly reminded Yi Chen of his very first disciple, who was incredibly 'eager to advance,' Chief Zhang.

Facing Buddha by looking at his followers, Chief Zhang has been making rapid progress through the bureaucratic system of Great Qin, and some even proposed that he take charge of Five Peaks City.

However, Chief Zhang clearly had discernment, respectfully declining the position, evidently having gleaned quite a few insights during his days by Yi Chen's side.

"How do I see it? I watch from the window," Yi Chen thought to himself, but cheerfully said aloud,

"Whatever Your Majesty decides, just command, and I will follow. With Your Majesty orchestrating from behind the scenes, I will do what is necessary."

As a straightforward martial artist, Yi Chen was never proficient at fancy techniques.

Take the Heavenly Sundial Divinity Inspection Formation, for example; its functions are similar to a radar but also much more, incredibly magical.

However, Yi Chen was not surprised by this.

Whether on the technological or cultivation side, demand always drives technological advancement; it's just that the technology branch developed by the cultivation side is based on formations.

"Very well, since that is the case, I will speak openly. If the State Preceptor has better suggestions, he may propose them."

"No matter how we respond, a major battle is inevitable. The State Preceptor, being the divine weapon of Great Qin, must serve as our trump card for a decisive strike and must not be revealed lightly."

"My plan is to have Qingping True Monarch, Strange Doctor Lang Qianhua, and I go to the seashore thousands of miles away to confront the foreign threat, to see exactly what anomaly has occurred on Western Lands. State Preceptor, you will secretly follow behind us to cover our backs."

"Your Majesty intends to use the three of you as bait to test Asna?" Yi Chen's gaze instantly sharpened, immediately perceiving Ying Si's true intentions.

The so-called covering was merely a nicety.

In essence, Ying Si wanted them to set off first to clear the mines and test Asna's capabilities